8 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE

Overview

  • Trekking and Climbing
  • Day 1 : ARRIVAL
  • Day 2 : TREKKING FROM NALEMURU GATE TO SIMBA CAMP
  • Day 3 : TREKKING FROM SIMBA CAMP TO KIKILEWA CAMP
  • Day 4 : TREKKING FROM KIKILEWA CAMP TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP
  • Day 5 : TREKKING FROM MAWENZI TARN CAMP TO SCHOOL HUT CAMP
  • Day 6 : ASCENT TO UHURU PEAK AND DESCENT TO HOROMBO CAMP
  • Day 7 : DESCENT FROM HOROMBO HUT CAMP TO MARANGU GATE
  • Day 8 : DEPARTURE
Route Map for this 8 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE

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Rongai, being the only way to approach Kilimanjaro from the north, goes through the picturesque views of the rainforest and the second highest point of Tanzania - the Mawenzi volcano. Thanks to gradual elevation increase, you will be able to get good altitude acclimatization and reach safely the highest point of Africa - Uhuru Peak, 5895 meters. Rongai Route has excellent success rates of 85%, 90% for 6- and 7-days climb. Rongai is great for those travelers who already have high altitude experience and are willing to escape the crowds of other climbers since this route is quite far from the town. The Rongai Route is a perfect way to test your strength and get unforgettable impressions on the distance of 65 kilometers (40 miles).
Day 1
ARRIVAL
Whatever your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport will be, your TmT driver-guide will be waiting for you with a warm welcoming smile.

Whatever your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport will be, your TmT driver-guide will be waiting for you with a warm welcoming smile. Kick back and relax in your comfortable vehicle as he takes you to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi, Tanzania’s self-styled safari capital. On the way to the hotel, you will get a brief impression of this large, bustling, Safari Hub. Depending on your arrival time, you may have your pre-safari briefing today; if not, it will take place early tomorrow morning.

Day 2
TREKKING FROM NALEMURU GATE TO SIMBA CAMP
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's northe...

Change in Elevation: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m) to Simba Camp (2,625 m)

• Hiking distance: 8 km

• Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours

• Habitat: Rainforest

 

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's northern entrance: Nalemuru Gate (2,020 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Simba Camp (2,625 m). Your trek this day will be moderate and take you through coniferous forest up Kilimanjaro's northern slope. Remember not to hurry and always keep a comfortable pace. By the time you reach the camp, our professional mountain crew will prepare everything necessary, put tents and cook dinner for you.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on-

-Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine

-Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)

-Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

At night, you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Considering altitude, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.


Day 3
TREKKING FROM SIMBA CAMP TO KIKILEWA CAMP
Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart from Simba Camp to start trekking towards your second-high altitude camp: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) where you can see Kibo Volcano at its fine...

Change in Elevation: Simba Camp (2,625 m) to Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m)

• Hiking distance: 10 km

• Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

• Habitat: Heath

 

Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart from Simba Camp to start trekking towards your second-high altitude camp: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) where you can see Kibo Volcano at its finest (barring cloudy weather). This trekking is more physically demanding than the previous one, so once you are in the camp, full rest is recommended.


Day 4
TREKKING FROM KIKILEWA CAMP TO MAWENZI TARN CAMP
Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of trekking to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano, Kilimanjaro's second summit.

Trekking from Kikilewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn Camp:Change in Elevation: Kikilewa Camp (3,630 m) to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m)

• Hiking distance: 6 km

• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

 

Early wakeup, breakfast and the start of trekking to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated at the foot of Mawenzi Volcano, Kilimanjaro's second summit. When you reach the camp, you will have lunch and a two-hour rest, after which there will be an acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Volcano with a 200-meter gain in altitude, followed by a hike back down to Mawenzi Tarn Camp, where you will have dinner in the evening. Note: he acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) to Destination point en route to Mawenzi Volcano (4,510 m)

• Hiking distance: 2 km

• Hiking time: 1 to 2 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert


Day 5
TREKKING FROM MAWENZI TARN CAMP TO SCHOOL HUT CAMP
This day will be spent trekking towards School Hut Camp (4,715 m). The landscape will change significantly to give way to a rocky semidesert.

Change in Elevation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,310 m) to School Hut Camp (4,715 m)

• Hiking distance: 9 km

• Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

 

This day will be spent trekking towards School Hut Camp (4,715 m). The landscape will change significantly to give way to a rocky semidesert. The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp, we recommend you sleep well, avoid strenuous activity, and drink as much as you can, because that very night you will be ascending Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).


Day 6
ASCENT TO UHURU PEAK AND DESCENT TO HOROMBO CAMP
Night departure from School Hut Camp (4,715 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude...

Change in Elevation: School Hut Camp (4,715 m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) then Horombo Camp (3,720 m)

• Hiking distance: 21 km

• Hiking time: 12 to 14 hours

• Habitat: Arctic Condition

 

Night departure from School Hut Camp (4,715 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve, will accompany each pair of climbers. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Camp (3,720 m).

Note:- Do not forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.


Day 7
DESCENT FROM HOROMBO HUT CAMP TO MARANGU GATE
You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congr...

Change in Elevation: Horombo Camp (3,720 m) to Marangu Gate (1,860 m)

• Hiking distance: 18 km

• Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

• Habitat: Rainforest

 

You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel to enjoy a shower, dinner and celebrations with a Kilimanjaro beer!


Day 8
DEPARTURE
Today will be at leisure to relax or explore, depending on your flight.

Today will be at leisure to relax or explore, depending on your flight. Your driver transfers you to Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport for your departure flight Back Home or Zanzibar.

Useful Information

This thrilling hiking adventure is customised upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available in Tanzania. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people, dates of departure/Arrival and availability of ground services on the ground.

Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalised quote within 24 hours!

Note; Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suit your requirements.


Sightseeing Highlights

• Exploring Kilimanjaro National Park

• Wildlife interaction Such as Antelopes, Colobus Monkeys, Baboons etc.

• Experience the vegetation change throughout the hike from rainforest to Arctic.

• Hike to Africa highest Peak “Uhuru Peak”

• A chance for an optional activity tour in Arusha or Moshi


Options Activities that requires Extra Charges for Your safari that you can add:

• Kilimanjaro Daytrip

• Materuni Waterfall Hike

• Coffee Tour

• Paragliding on the Kilimanjaro

• Serval Wildlife Sanctuary tour


Travel Highlights

• Your own private mountain guide and Transfer driver for in-depth hiking adventure touring based on your itinerary

• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our locally born travel specialists

• Itineraries that are customised according to your interests and preferences

• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, hand-picked hotels and restaurants, private airport transfers, internal transportation, and entry visa assistance…etc

• Around-the-clock support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip


Tour price Includes:

• Private professional mountain guide

• Camping facilities (tent, mattresses, mess tent)

• All Park fees

• Hut fees

• All meals while on the Mountain

• Drinking water

• Fair and ethical salaries for the team (guide, assistant guide, cook and porters) – in accordance with KPAP guidelines

• First aid supplies


Excludes:

• Personal items (e.g. Hiking gears, cameras, visa, and travel insurance)

• Alcoholic drinks

• Pre/post accommodation and airport transfers (booking is available upon request).

• Tips for your guide and cook. Industry recommendations are $15 a day to the cook and $20 a day to your guide divided by everyone in the vehicle.


Meals:-

• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;

• All meals on the hike. Our Mount Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. In our menu you will find different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;

• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).


Accommodations

• One night at a comfortable 3* hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool);

• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25).

Please note:

All hotel accommodation is on sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer). Single occupancy in a hotel is available upon request and extra chargers apply. Single accommodation is not available in huts while on the trek, because it is the park rangers who assign the trekkers to the huts

 

Hiking and safety equipment

• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;

• All group equipment;

• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;

• GPS-tracking service;

• Complete medical kits.


Climbing crew:

• Professional guides, licensed by the Tanzania National Park Authority. All our guides are the holders of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications and have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience;

• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).


Payment policy

To reserve this tour, a payment of 70% of the total price must be made at the time of reservation. The balance of 30% can be made on arrival in Tanzania, prior to the departure of your tour.

Your deposit can either be made by means of a Bank Transfer, with the addition of a 45 US Dollar fee, or by Credit Card, which incurs an additional bank charge of 3.5%.

Either the final payment can be made through Credit Card, again with the addition of a 3.5% bank charge, or in cash in US Dollars (US Dollar Bills should not be older than year 2009).


Cancellation Policy: -

Cancellation of a holiday must be made in writing and is effective from the date we receive the written notification. Cancellation charges are expressed at a percentage of quoted price as follows –


Period Cancellation Charge

From time of confirmation up to 15 days prior to arrival 0%

From 14 days to 01 day 20%

From the start of the Tour 100%


If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges from your insurance company. Notwithstanding the above, if we have issued your domestic airline tickets and you choose at any time to cancel them then the cancelling for Domestic Tickets will be 100%.

*The above Payment and Cancellation policy is specifically for 8 DAYS RONGAI ROUTE and it does not apply to other tours.

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This was my first safari and it was an incredible experience thanks to Gifton and his team. Gifton is extremely knowledgable, reliable, friendly and fun. I would recommend contacting Gifton for anything you want to do related to tourism in and around Arusha. He will curate the perfect itinerary for you based on your specific travel requests and go above and beyond to make sure you have the best experience. Can't wait to come back!
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Very fascinating trip. We drove to Tarangeri and camped in the park for the night. We drove around the first day without seeing any elephants, but the following day we came pretty close. Overall, our guides were fantastic; they shared with us their experiences and history while also adding a good dose of humor—always a pleasure. I'm grateful.
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Gifton is so warm and friendly..he accompanied us and some friends on our safari tour. He took the time to seek out the animals and made sure we had enough time to take pictures and admire the animals.. he was very approachable and very knowledgeable. He also made sure we were safe and protected! I will never forget this experience! Thank you Gifton
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Really interesting tour. We went to Tarangeri and stayed the night at the park. First day we drove around but did not manage to see any elephants but the next day we got very close. Overall our guides were excellent giving us history and sharing their experiences with us with a healthy dose of humor- always great. Thank you!
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Gifton was incredible to work with- he listened to our groups wants and customized a tour that suited several different peoples budget. Everyone was extremely happy and I would recommend him for anything you want to do around Arusha or safaris! He's a great communicator and he's so much fun! Plus, I liked that I was supporting a local tour company instead of an international company. 5 stars!
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